Keiser spent more than a million dollars on her campaign, about twice as much as any other Senate candidate in the state this year. Harrell accused Keiser of trying to buy the seat. Harrell’s campaign spent about $232,000.

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State Rep. Gayle Harrell (center) embraces decades-long friend and supporter Annie MacMillan, of Stuart, after the announcement of Harrell's win over Belinda Keiser for the Republican Party nomination Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018, to run for the Senate Dist. 25 seat being vacated by Sen. Joe Negron. "We've done it before, we'll do it again," said MacMillan, attending a primary elections party in downtown Stuart, regarding the upcoming midterm elections. XAVIER MASCAREÑAS/TCPALM

State Rep. Gayle Harrell (center) thanks a crowd of supporters after Sen. Bill Galvano (right) announced her victory Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018, over Belinda Keiser for the republican nomination for the Dist. 25 senate seat being vacated by Sen. Joe Negron. Harrell also thanked Sen. Travis Hutson (left) during her primary election night party at Flagler Place in downtown Stuart. XAVIER MASCAREÑAS/TCPALM

Victoria Zepp, a child advocate in Tallahassee, a volunteer for State Rep. Gayle Harrell senate campaign, cheers news of Harrell's lead over Belinda Keiser for the Republican nomination on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018, at Flagler Place in downtown Stuart. "Gayle Harrell has chaired Children and Families in the House...without her, we wouldn't have half the protections on our children," Zepp said. XAVIER MASCAREÑAS/TCPALM

Harrell has been in and out of office for the past 18 years, making her a recognizable name for local Republican voters. Negron endorsed her to succeed him the day after she filed to run, and former Senate President Ken Pruitt soon followed suit.

On the campaign trail, Harrell railed against Keiser, referring to her as the Goliath to her David, pointing out how Keiser had flooded the district with mailers, yard signs and advertisements.

Belinda Keiser(Photo: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO FROM BELINDA KEISER)

Keiser said as a “career politician,” Harrell failed to do enough to help the district and said she was too liberal. She argued it was time for a change in representation.

Make America Great Again, an out-of-district “dark money” PAC, launched a massive ad campaign against Keiser, tying her to Democrats she previously donated to, including former President Bill Clinton, former Vice President Al Gore and U.S. Rep and former Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz.